Psalm 1-8

BOOK I Psalm 1 1Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

4Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 2 1Why do the nations conspire Hebrew; Septuagint rage and the peoples plot in vain?

2The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,

3“Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.”

4The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6“I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

7I will proclaim the LORD ’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.

8Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

9You will break them with a rod of iron Or will rule them with an iron scepter (see Septuagint and Syriac) ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”

10Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11Serve the LORD with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 3In Hebrew texts 3:1-8 is numbered 3:2-9. 1A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom. LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

2Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 4 and 8.

3But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

4I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain.

5I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

6I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.

7Arise, LORD ! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. 8From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.

Psalm 4In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods Or seek lies The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.

3Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.

4Tremble and Or In your anger (see Septuagint) do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.

5Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD .

6Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.

7Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. 8In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13. 1For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David. Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament.

2Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

3In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

4For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.

5The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong;

6you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest.

7But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.

8Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.

9Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.

10Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

11But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. 12Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 6In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11. 1For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. Title: Probably a musical term A psalm of David. LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath.

2Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am faint; heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.

3My soul is in deep anguish. How long, LORD, how long?

4Turn, LORD, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love.

5Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave?

6I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.

7My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes.

8Away from me, all you who do evil, for the LORD has heard my weeping.

9The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. 10All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Psalm 7In Hebrew texts 7:1-17 is numbered 7:2-18. 1A shiggaion Title: Probably a literary or musical term of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite. LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

2or they will tear me apart like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

3LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—

4if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—

5then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

6Arise, LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.

7Let the assembled peoples gather around you, while you sit enthroned over them on high.

8Let the LORD judge the peoples. Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.

9Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure— you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

10My shield Or sovereign is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

11God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.

12If he does not relent, he Or If anyone does not repent, / God will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

13He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.

14Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.

15Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made.

16The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads. 17I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 8In Hebrew texts 8:1-9 is numbered 8:2-10. 1For the director of music. According to gittith. Title: Probably a musical term A psalm of David. LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.

2Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? Or what is a human being that you are mindful of him, / a son of man that you care for him?

5You have made them Or him a little lower than the angels Or than God and crowned them Or him with glory and honor.

6You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their Or made him ruler…; / …his feet:

7all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild,

8the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!